Overview

The Alan 555 is a vintage CB base station transceiver produced during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Manufactured under the Alan brand (associated with Midland), it is a solid-state AM/SSB radio designed for fixed-station operation on the 11-meter band. The model supports both standard CB operation and single sideband modes, offering extended communication range compared to AM-only sets.

Technical Specifications

Physical Description

The Alan 555 is housed in a desktop-style metal cabinet designed for base station use. The front panel includes controls for channel selection, volume, squelch, RF gain, mode selection (AM/USB/LSB), and clarifier tuning. An analog meter provides signal strength and transmit indication. The styling reflects late-1970s base station design, with a larger form factor than mobile units and clearly labeled controls. Internally, the unit uses printed circuit boards with solid-state components.

History

The Alan 555 was introduced during the transition from 23-channel to 40-channel CB radios following the FCC expansion in 1977. It represents a more advanced class of CB equipment, incorporating single sideband capability for improved range and efficiency. Radios of this type were popular among enthusiasts and base station operators seeking enhanced performance over standard AM units. The Alan brand, associated with Midland, produced a wide range of CB radios for both European and U.S. markets.